Cars were already lined up when we arrived at the Tang ancestral home. Two sleek, black sedans stood waiting, each with a driver and a woman standing at attention. There was a certain distance to reach the home so a 10 minute drive was required.The drivers opened the doors at a precise 90-degree angle, a display of the Tang family's meticulous etiquette. Having been away from Shenzhen for some time, such formalities felt distant but not entirely unfamiliar.
"Welcome, Elder Young Master Wei, Young Master Jie, and Little Junyan. Madam is eagerly awaiting your arrival," a tall, slim woman standing by one of the car doors said with a warm smile.
"Thank you," I replied, walking toward the car directly in front of me. When I turned to pick up Junyan, I saw that he had already run off with Jun Jie to the car behind mine. I ended up sharing the ride with Aunt Po, while the woman who had greeted us sat beside the driver.
The car set off, and I gazed out the window, taking in the bustling streets of Shenzhen. The sights stirred memories of the past. I had attended junior school here before moving to Beijing. Back then, I had wanted to make friends, but I couldn't. Grandma had ingrained in me the importance of considering social standing and family background, and I would have been scolded if I acted otherwise. This led to a reputation of being cold and aloof, a perception that followed me for years.
Now, as an adult, I was at a level where I could make my own decisions. No one could dictate my life anymore. I would follow my heart and pursue my happiness, no matter the consequences.
The sound of the car door clicking open pulled me from my thoughts. I hadn't even realized we had arrived. The Tang main family house was a stunning blend of ancient and modern architecture, a testament to the family's wealth and influence.
Built on a mountaintop, the estate was surrounded by lush, manicured gardens and towering trees, with high walls and tight security ensuring privacy. The mansion itself was a masterpiece of design, with traditional Chinese elements like sweeping tiled roofs, intricate wooden carvings, and stone lion statues at the entrance, seamlessly integrated with modern glass and steel structures. It was a sight to behold, exuding both grandeur and elegance.
I stepped out of the car and looked up at the imposing mansion before me, along with the smaller structures scattered around the estate. This was the home where I had spent my early childhood. It was a long-standing rule that the first son of the Tang family-the rightful heir to the Tang estate-would be raised here until the age of 10 before returning to their father's home. However, Grandma couldn't bear to part with Jun Jie, so she raised him for five additional years before reluctantly letting him go.
Grandma truly doted on Jun Jie, which was why she allowed him to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, despite it going against the Tang family's traditional principles. She thought that Jun jie had just joined the industry to play and would get tired, what she hadn't calculated was that he loved acting and singing and he did them extremely well becoming an overnight top celebrity.
"Pa!" a voice called, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked down to see Junyan, who had walked over to me at some point.
"Let's go inside," I said, taking his small hand in mine. Jun Jie approached us, his usual mischievous grin plastered on his face.
"You two go ahead," I told them. "I'll catch up."
Jun Jie nodded and led Junyan toward the mansion. In the distance, an elderly woman stood in the doorway, her presence commanding yet graceful. She was dressed in an elegant silk shirt and a flowing skirt, her pure white hair neatly styled. This was Grandma, the matriarch of the Tang family.
"Grandma!" Jun Jie called excitedly, breaking into a run. He reached her in moments and enveloped her in a huge hug. Grandma smiled, her eyes curving with warmth as she patted his back.
"You're already 24, Jun Jie. Must you still act like a child?" she chided gently, though her tone held no real reproach. Jun Jie simply laughed and hugged her tighter, refusing to let go. From her demeanor, it was clear Grandma wasn't annoyed by his antics. "Junyan, dear, come to Grandma," she said, extending her hand. Junyan obeyed, his small frame moving with a maturity beyond his years.
I approached and bowed slightly. "Grandma, it's good to see you."
"Wei," she acknowledged with a nod, "You seem to have lost weight. You're so caught up with work, but your health should come first. Don't make this old bag of bones worry," she added in a concerned tone.
"I will take your words to heart, Grandma. I'm okay, so put your worries aside. Although I'm always busy, I have a committed company secretary who helps me with some duties," I replied, keeping my tone respectful.
We entered the house together, the grandeur of the mansion's interior unfolding before us. The entrance hall was vast, with high ceilings adorned with intricate wooden beams and a crystal chandelier that cast a soft glow over the space. The floors were polished marble, and the walls were decorated with traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy. Maids passed by, bowing politely and greeting us as they went about their duties. The atmosphere was one of quiet efficiency, a hallmark of the Tang household.
As we walked further into the house, an elderly man appeared, walking slowly but with purpose. It was Grandpa, his presence as dignified as ever. Behind him were Dad and Jing Fu, who had arrived earlier.
"Grandpa," I greeted, bowing slightly. Jun Jie and Junyan followed suit.
"Welcome home," Grandpa said, his voice warm but firm. "You should stop by more often. Don't get so caught up in your duties that you forget family. Look at my grandson," he smiled, gesturing at Junyan beside Grandma.
"Indeed," Dad added, stepping forward. "Listen to your grandfather. You work too much. Spare some time to visit home too, your aunt also worries about you, always asking how you are fairing outside. Plus, I also want to be with my grandson too,"
Jing Fei smiled politely but remained silent, her eyes flickering between us. The dynamics of the Tang family were complex, and her presence always added an extra layer of tension. She treaded lightly in my presence, always gauging my reactions to avoid annoying me. Sometimes, I wanted to tell her not to worry about such matters.
"Let's move to the dining room," Grandma suggested, leading the way. "Fan has prepared all your favorite meals. The journey must have been exhausting for all of you."
"I love Aunt Fan's meals! Chicken dumplings, braised pork belly, steamed fish with ginger and scallions, and her famous mapo tofu!" Jun Jie exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he ran toward the dining room.
"Haa, look at this child. He's always loved eating since he was young. I wonder how he isn't chubby by now," Grandpa remarked, watching Jun Jie's retreating back.
"It makes me worry about his life outside," Grandma said, her tone tinged with concern.
I silently walked beside them as we approached the dining area. Just as Grandma had said, the table was laden with an array of dishes, each one a masterpiece of Chinese cuisine. There were delicate xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), fragrant stir-fried beef with broccoli, tender braised abalone, and a steaming pot of hot and sour soup. The aromas were intoxicating, and I realized I hadn't eaten breakfast that morning.
As we took our seats, the family gathered around the table, the warmth of the meal contrasting with the underlying tension of the family dynamics. This was the Tang household-a place of tradition, power, and unspoken complexities. Growing up in this house, one learnt early the ways of the world not just on the surface level but even the inner dealings.
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